Letters to the editor for Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Kudos to the Valley Central High School students who dressed like Kiss. You rock.

Kudos to the Valley Central High School students who dressed like Kiss. You rock.

I grew up in the Kiss era and it was a great time. You brought back good memories of my lifetime. Derek, Tyler, Dylan and Mike — you are awesome. Too bad Valley Central High School didn't think so.

Donna Ghirardelli

Middletown

According to a recent article in the op-ed section of The Wall Street Journal, "Research suggests that keeping older workers engaged in the economy will directly boost gross domestic product."

The problem right now is getting employers to hire older workers, in light of how health care is paid for in this country. Employers tend to shy away from hiring older people because older people are more likely to put a strain on employers' health insurance budgets than younger people.

There are, however, a fair amount of older people in reasonably good health who would work past their retirement age if their occupation suits it. For example, someone who works in an office could work past retirement age.

To alleviate the concerns of those employers who would otherwise consider hiring older people, and in the view of the desire to boost our GDP, may I suggest that the government directly take care of all the health care needs of these older people at no direct expense to the employers and their employees, to the extent any part of it is unaffordable to older people? In this regard, the government could partner with business in boosting the economy.

Michael Radowitz

Newburgh

Several years ago, improvements were made at the Thruway/ I-84/ Route 300 interchange which included new street lights. Half the lights were activated but the others remain off, making it difficult to see road markings clearly. Local and state representatives have ignored this unsafe situation for too long. Please turn on the lights before someone gets hurt.